my son seems like hes not getting full of my breast?

Question

Ive been pumping my milk and feeding it to him by bottle and ive made enough to feed him like that
but yesterday i figure id try and breastfeed again because he was on my chest and moving around like he was looking for my nipple
and all day i have been breastfeeding him
but he still seems hungry and i am giving him a bottle because he wont stop crying and keeps opening his mouth and moving when i put my finger by his mouth. Ive fed him three times in the last hour, it seems like hes not getting full. Why could this be. I have plenty of milk because i pump a lot of milk out. I also pumped twice today so im thinking maybe i dont have enough milk in there afer, but i usually have more after two hours, so i should have had enough to feed him.

Answer 1

It does not flow as freely and quickly from your breast... he might be a little frustrated at the speed and volume. He's gotten used to not needing to exert as much effort to extract the milk from a bottle. I takes a lot of energy and some skill to get all the milk out quickly from a breast... so he's having to re-learn how to suckle.

With lots of practice from him, and a ton of your patience and persistance from you... he'll be a pro in no time!!

By 3 months, my daughter was nursing off one breast in under 10 minutes per feeding -
she was getting plenty- her fat rolls had fat rolls!

Answer 2

Were you evaluated by a lactation consultant in hospital? I mean are you sure he is getting a good latch? Sometimes that effects how well babies nurse. You could also switch sides every ten minutes as long as you return him to the last breast to finish with another ten minutes (to get the hind milk).

Keep trying, babies nurse a lot and it takes just as much time to bottle feed as it does to nurse - plus with nursing you don't have to mess with sterilizing the bottles. Some babies nurse all day long practically, my youngest nursed every half an hour during the day - every 2 hours at night, for months. It got pretty tiring but he's healthy and was exclusive for 10 months. You can do this but you may need help - check out La Leche League to get help and maybe a consultation.

Answer 3

The problem is that you're not supposed to give a breastfed baby a bottle or pacifier for the first few weeks of breastfeeding (until breastfeeding has been well-established and baby is used to getting milk from the breast). It's because the sucking is completely different. It's much easier to get milk from a bottle and the muscles used in the face and jaw are totally different then when drinking from the breast. So what's happening is probably that your baby has gotten used to the ease of drinking expressed breast milk from a bottle and is not getting as much milk from your breast while suckling, because it takes more work to do so.

This is a common problem that many women who aren't familiar with breastfeeding run into. This is why we hear of so many women saying that they weren't "making enough milk", etc. The problem is your baby needs to get used to drinking from the breast. You need to cut out any bottles, formula and pacifiers you've been giving him. It'll only worsen the problem.

JUST feed him from the breast. Let him take as long as he needs. It'll probably take a little more work now... but most babies are able to catch on again.

Best wishes.

Answer 4

Quit pumping. Breastfeed directly. Within a few days, if your baby is making enough wet and poopy diapers (and I'm certain he will be), you'll know that you do indeed make plenty of milk for him. He's probably confused with all the bottles. Just breastfeed. Hang in there~

http://www.kellymom.com

Another thought- are you letting him nurse long enough? If you don't allow him to "drop off" your breast on his own, then he may not be getting enough hindmilk- this is the fattier milk that comes at the end of a breastfeed, and is what will help him gain weight and stay fuller longer.

Answer 5

Did you eat less yesterday? Your milk supple will be low if you don't eat enough the day before. Also if he's used to the bottle it will take him a while to figure out how to get milk out of your breast. With the breast babies have to work for it and a bottle it just flows out freely. I would suggest trying to feed him from the breast alone for a few days. How old is your son? Younger babies can get confused when you use both breast and bottle. Another thing is he could have a belly ache...babies tend to suckle alot when their belly is upset. Have you tried using a binkie(pacifier)? Younger babies also suck for soothing. Any other questions feel free email me or message me! [e-mail]

Answer 6

If you've introduced bottles this early then that's probably the problem. It's easier to get milk from a bottle then a breast. This is what causes a lot of issues for women who are just starting out and don't know much about breastfeeding. Babies have to get used to the breast before being given ANY other nipple. Eliminate the bottles and any binky you might be giving him and only nurse him. What you've caused by giving a bottle with expressed milk this early is called "nipple confusion". It makes it harder for baby to drink from you.

Answer 7

Sounds like you've caused nipple confusion. Just have him breastfeed - no bottles! You're not supposed to give a breastfed baby a bottle or a pacifier for at least a few weeks. They need to learn how to drink from a breast first and establish your milk supply.

Answer 8

Since you say you have a good milk supply, all you need is nurse on demand, put him on the breast whenever possible. After some time your baby will get adjusted and will be getting fuller with each feeding.

Also talk to a lactation consultant, they are really great help.

Answer 9

My son ate all the time too. He may be going through a growth spirt. Also, remember that they suck for comfort. He may not be hungry but wants to suck for pacifying himself. A pacifyer isn't a bad idea if he already takes your nipple. If he's not spitting up to much and gaining weight, just keep feeding him.

Answer 10

I breast fed my son for the first 9 weeks, i was like you constantly feed feed feeding him, i was getting so low that i put him on powder milk. He was much more settled an it was nice to just cuddle him with out him wanting to be fed. It is very tiring an i feel for you... have you thought about putting him on powder milk it might help you both. I know they say breast is best but sometimes people are wrong we know what is best for our self.